Catheter Ablation for Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

This report evaluates the current state of evidence regarding effectiveness and harms of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) with a focus on longer-term outcomes and evidence relevant to the Medicare population. 

Using predefined criteria, randomized trials and observational studies comparing the efficacy, effectiveness, or safety of catheter ablation (radiofrequency or cryoballoon ablation) to medical therapy in patients with AF were included. Analyses were stratified by type of AF and length of followup (>12 months vs. ≤12 months). The quality of included studies was assessed, data were extracted, results were summarized qualitatively and using meta-analysis, and the strength of the evidence was graded for each primary outcome.